NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. MNPS Virtual School is pleased to announce our 2022 Salutatorian—Zaynab Alnassari! Dr. Kelby Garner, Executive Principal, notes, "Zaynab is not only brilliant but also kind and respectful. She is a talented, born leader and a lifelong learner! Zaynab is not only our Salutatorian but also a 15-year-old senior in high school and soon-to-be junior in college!"
Upon graduating from MNPS Virtual School, Zaynab Alnassari plans to continue enrollment at Middle Tennessee State University. Zaynab is a double major in Biology and Art with a minor in Arabic. This fall semester, Zaynab will be classified as a Junior and has already completed 58 credits at MTSU through the Dual-Enrollment program and serves on numerous research teams at the university. In addition, Zaynab has a 3.9 GPA and has been on the Dean's List at MTSU every semester since 2020!
Zaynab shares, "After completing my bachelor's degrees in Biology and Art at MTSU, I plan to go to medical school. I plan to become a pediatric thoracic surgeon and hope to use my degree in art to communicate and teach others about methods and procedures. Not only do I plan to work locally servicing underrepresented minorities, but I hope to use my minor in Arabic to travel abroad with doctors without borders to Middle Eastern Countries. I hope to lead by example and inspire other young women. I want to show that if you have a dream and are determined to work for it, you can do it."
Zaynab is a forward thinker and community servant. She is an advocate for the advancement of women and received the 2022 National Women's History Month Trailblazer Award for my work at the Festival of Veils which depicted the religious head-covering in 15 different religions including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Zaynab was appointed to the MTSU Girls in Stem Committee where she encourages and mentors Middle School and High School Girls to get educated in STEM fields. Not only does Zaynab serve the community, but she is also an animal rights advocate with a soft heart for all animals and hopes to volunteer her time at shelters and the zoo in the coming year.
Research is important to Zaynab. She is an avid research student at MTSU and currently serves on three research teams at the university with over 4,000 lab hours complete. She has presented at two Scholars Week Presentations at MTSU, was featured in the Ginseng Institute Magazine. Zaynab has taken research trips to the Appalachian Mountains, and she is an active member of SOAR undergraduate researchers at the university. Currently, Zaynab is researching Ginseng Extraction Methods, Carbon Grow Organic Fertilizers, and Jujube Tree Propagation Methods. Zaynab received two undergraduate grants for her research endeavors.
Zaynab, her mother and triplet siblings researching Ginseng at MTSU.
Zaynab shares, "I am an avid artist. My primary interests are in charcoal and painting. My love of art has grown throughout the years and is a useful skill as a surgeon. Plus, it is a wonderful way for me to relax. I have won numerous art awards, including the Willow Brook Aspiring Young Artists Award and Young Artist of the Year from the TN State Fair."
When asked, what advice would you give to other MNPS Virtual School students? Zaynab shared, "No matter how old you are or where you come from, if you have a dream and are willing to work for it, you can do it. I am 15 years old and have completed 58 hours at MTSU with numerous distinctions and awards. I got here because I was determined and was supported by everyone around me. If you are determined, then you can do anything."
Zaynab realizes the success she is experiencing is not due to her accomplishments but also from support of those who love her. When asked who you would like to thank for helping you reach this milestone, Zaynab shared, "It would not be a "someone" that supported me, it would be "people". I am extremely grateful for my entire family, especially my parents. They supported me through many obstacles and challenges throughout my life. It is because my parents have always been with me, even when I went to college, that I am the person I am today. They taught me everything that I know and continue to teach me. Ultimately, I would like to thank my family because they have not only supported, helped, and encouraged me but have always been with me. I would tell them that I love them, and I want to thank them for always being with me even at grey times. You have always been with me, and I hope I can always be with you and take care of you the way you took care of me. It is because of you that I have a strong personality and a will of fire. You are the best family anyone could ask for. There are no words to describe my gratitude and love. Thank you."
Finally, Zaynab is also a recipient of the following scholarships: The MTSU True Blue Scholarship, TN Hope Scholarship, and the Lindsey Vonn Scholarship. Zaynab earned the following awards: URECA Undergraduate Research Award and the 2022 National Women's History Month Trailblazer Award.
MNPS Virtual School's 11th Annual Graduation Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The ceremony will begin at 1:00 PM in the Sadler Auditorium at The Cohn School to celebrate the accomplishment of Zaynab and all our MNPS Virtual School graduates.
ABOUT MNPS VIRTUAL SCHOOL. MNPS Virtual School is Tennessee's first, highest-achieving virtual school. MNPS Virtual School combines rigorous academics with a variety of educational programs, learning experiences, instructional approaches, and academic-support strategies addressing the unique needs, interests, aspirations, and backgrounds of our diverse population of students—creating an extraordinary online learning experience.